Forthcoming Album Release: My Cuban Soul (Paul Van Ross)

From the media release

Paul Van Ross_and band_Havana 2013 — The band in Cuba | image supplied

Melbourne jazz artist Paul Van Ross has collaborated with a group of Cuba’s top musicians to record his new CD – Mi Alma Cubana (My Cuban Soul), set for launch in September this year.

Paul joined with artists from top Cuban bands Los Van Van and Chucho Valdes to record his original compositions in the same studio used by the Buena Vista Social Club to create a worldwide renaissance of Latin music in 1997.

A fixture on the Melbourne jazz circuit with over 25 years’ saxophone experience, Paul performs regularly at iconic venues like Bennetts Lane and the Paris Cat. He saw an opportunity to dial up his sound with powerful Afro‐Cuban beats.

Paul had a dream of combining his two loves, music and salsa dancing. Using connections between Melbourne and Cuban musicians, Paul made his dream a reality.

‘My goal was to ‘cubanify’ my music, using the energy of a culture where music and dance are fundamental to everyday life,’ says Paul.

All 8 tracks on the CD are danceable and take in salsa, cha cha cha and son rhythms.

‘The Cuban musicians loved my compositions, and treated me like one of their own – I think you can hear that in the tracks,’ says Paul.

In the tradition of the busker, Paul is funding production of the CD through crowdsourcing website pozible.

‘I’ve got an ‘e‐hat’ to collect the cash.’

The crowdfunding will support the mastering, artwork and pressing of the CD. A creative range of funding options are on offer. Supporters can pre‐purchase the CD in hard copy or via download, name a track, be named on the liner and even have a dance or sax lesson with Paul via www.pozible.com/paulvanross.

With just a few days to go, he’s closer to his dream, but needs more support to bring the project to life.

‘These are some of the best Cuban musicians in the world – I want to do justice to their talent with high quality production.’